Two persons were killed in renewed violence in Kheroni area of Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday. One victim was a person with disability charred to death in a building set ablaze by mobs.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, mobs vandalised and torched shops, set vehicles on fire, and attacked police with bombs, stones and arrows. The Hindu reported the unrest defied restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita imposed after Monday’s clashes over demands to evict outsiders from village and professional grazing reserves.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the deaths and stated he is monitoring the situation closely. He announced additional forces for Kheroni on Wednesday to restore peace through dialogue and support affected families.
A tribal protester succumbed to clash injuries. The non-tribal disabled victim was trapped in a burning building. Thirty-eight police personnel, including an IPS officer, were injured. Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, camping in the area, said mobs attacked despite promises of non-violence. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets in restraint.
Internet services were suspended in West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts. Education Minister Ranoj Pegu persuaded protesters to end a fortnight hunger strike, citing legal hurdles in evictions due to Gauhati High Court petitions.
Sarma attributed initial violence to rumors of arrests of fasting protesters, who were actually hospitalized in Guwahati. The districts fall under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
